Improvement in breech-loading ordnance



.2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. A. MILLER Machine Gun. 1

Patented Feb. 7, 1865.

N. PETERS. FHOTO-UTHQGRAPM 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

J. A. MILLER.

Machine Gun.

Patented Feb. 7, 1865.

ZI-Z'Zize 55 6S NAETERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER, wAsmNaTcN, n c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JoHn A. MILLER, on IADUOAH, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEM ENT IN BREECH-LOADING ORDNANCE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 46,259, dated February 7, 1865.

- this specification.

The nature of my invention consists in a curved movable balance (containing two or more charge-chambers) operating in a section of a circle back and forward, and having the touch-hole at the side of the movable balance, the balance operating through the back end of the breech of the gun and moving from side to side.

Figure 1. represents a side elevation of the cannon with its movablebalance. Fig. 2 shows the rear end of the cannon and the shape and movement of the balance.

A represents the cannon or gun; B, a solid support cast with the cannon, to which the center of the balance 0 is attached by a screw-bolt, D, that acts as a pivot for the balance 0 to operate on. The top of the balance (3 is curved in a section of a circle and fits into a corresponding curved aperture, E, through the breech of the gun. It can be made as heavy as may be required, according to light or heavy ordnance, and in light guns a small handle at each side will answer to operate it, and in large ordnance a strong lever may be attached. As the top of the balance O moves through the gun the weight of the one side carries it to its place.

The arms G on each side form a V-shaped support for the balance G.

The bore H of the gun and the bore J ofthe balance 0 project slightly, so as to fit closely at K when they are drawn together to fire the gun, the balance 0 having two bores, J, so

that one is being loaded while the other is being fired.

The touch-hole L is at the end of the balance 0, where it is most easily managed.

I am aware that a block or square breech has been used having a lateral motion for loading at the breech but this I do not claim.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

The shape and construction of the balance G, operating in a corresponding curved aperture, E, in the breech of the gun, in combinationwith the support B, as herein described, for the purpose of firing a cannon rapidly.

\ JOHN A. MILLER.

Witnesses:

J. FRANKLIN REIGART, EDM. F. BROWN. 

